SDSU has scrimmaged 80 plays each of the past two weeks. Does that mean the Aztecs DBs are down to 840 reps? Something like that.

“Right now it doesn’t look very good,” SDSU head coach Rocky Long said.

Long’s observation after the spring’s first scrimmage two weeks ago was that “their concentration level is not very good in man-to-man coverage. They’re staring in the backfield and receivers are running wide open without anybody chasing them.”

That’s never good.

The secondary is considered a “critical” area for the Aztecs just one year after it was one of the two deepest positions (with running back) on the team.

But seniors Damontae Kazee, the Mountain West’s two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Malik Smith and Na’im McGee all departed when the 2016 season ended.

The Aztecs were hoping to get McGee back. He suffered a season-ending injury in the fifth game last year, but the NCAA denied the request for a medical redshirt.

Of course, SDSU figured to lose the seniors.

The big blow last year came midway through the season when junior cornerbacks Derek Babiash and Billy Vaughn Jr. were dismissed for a violation of team rules.

There is talent returning in the secondary. Seniors Trey Lomax and Kameron Kelly, sophomore Ron Smith and junior Parker Baldwin all have started.

But Lomax is out this spring as he heals from groin surgery and Kelly is learning a new position after moving from safety to cornerback.

Developing depth has been difficult, especially with injuries piling up during the spring.

Two weeks ago, redshirt freshman cornerback Taylor Hawkins’ left knee buckled defending on a pass play in a morning scrimmage. Diagnosis: Tears of both the ACL and MCL, likely sidelining him the 2017 season.

In Monday’s practice, senior safety Brandon Fitzpatrick, a walk-on from Ramona High, left on a cart after suffering an injury to his right leg.

Sophomore safety Dwayne Parchment has been practicing with a shoulder injury that will require surgery once spring workouts conclude.

Sophomore safety Trenton Thompson — who could be a key to the secondary’s success — broke his nose during a scrimmage over the weekend. He practiced Monday with a visor on his helmet in the hope he can keep his nose clean.

Parchment, Thompson, Kyree Woods and Jeff Clay are among a solid group of sophomores who could see significant playing time.

“They’re talented,” Gonzales said. “Shoot, a couple of them might be more talented than the guys we had in the great secondaries (of recent years), but they just haven’t played.”

Suddenly, Smith is a veteran after starting the second half of the season last year.

“That’s crazy,” said Smith, whose three interceptions in 2016 included a 54-yard return for a touchdown in the Las Vegas Bowl victory over Houston. “I’ve been talking to everybody and getting the idea in their heads that I was in the exact same position last year.

“It’s all about mindset, coming into practice each day with the right mentality and when you get your opportunity to make the best of it.”

Long said the secondary’s learning curve will be similar to that of SDSU’s rebuilt offensive line, likely requiring the season’s first three or four games before it comes together.

“It’s too bad it’s going to take that long, but that’s what it normally takes,” Long said.

At least in the spring, the mistakes add up to learning experiences instead of leading to losses.

“This time of the year is the best time of the year because there’s no pressure to win games,” Gonzales said. “If they make mistakes, you get to yell at them and there’s no consequences to it.”

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San Diego State defeats a team ranked higher than seventh for first time in program history.

San Diego State defeats a team ranked higher than seventh for first time in program history.

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San Diego State defeats a team ranked higher than seventh for first time in program history.

San Diego State defeats a team ranked higher than seventh for first time in program history.

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Hear from Aztecs head basketball coach Brian Dutcher as the team prepares to play at Fresno State.

Hear from Aztecs head basketball coach Brian Dutcher as the team prepares to play at Fresno State.

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Hear from Aztecs head coach Brian Dutcher and players after beating New Mexico, 97-77.

Hear from Aztecs head coach Brian Dutcher and players after beating New Mexico, 97-77.

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Hear from Aztecs head basketball coach Brian Dutcher and forward Matt Mitchell as the team prepares for Air Force.

Hear from Aztecs head basketball coach Brian Dutcher and forward Matt Mitchell as the team prepares for Air Force.

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Hear from head coach Brian Dutcher and guard Jordan Schakel after the Aztecs beat Wyoming, 84-54.

Hear from head coach Brian Dutcher and guard Jordan Schakel after the Aztecs beat Wyoming, 84-54.